The administrative capital of the
Province Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB). Public buildings,
banks, post office, general hospitals and shopping malls are
found here. A part of West Nusatengarra (NTB) province,
Mataram is the capital and main city of Lombok. It includes
the port town of Ampenan, the towns of Mataram and Cakranegara.

As a center of government
administration, Mataram has many large, impressive public
buildings and substantial houses. The city also has
transportation and shopping facilities. The main square is
used for art exhibitions, theater, dance, and wayang kulit
(puppet theater) performances. In other parts of Mataram,
there are a variety of old-style markets and neighborhoods
featuring traditional craftwork like basketware and gold- and
silver-threaded sarongs, or wraparound garments.

The port of Ampenan was once
Lombok's main port, but it now relies mostly on fishing
vessels. Cakranegara has significant Balinese and Chinese
populations, the Chinese having been brought by the Dutch to
provide cheap labor.

Cakranegara

The main commercial centre of
Lombok, has a thriving Chinese and Balinese Community. Most of
the shops and restaurants are run and owned by Chinese.

Ampenan

Once was the main port of Lombok.
Old buildings with mix population of Chinese, Arabs, and
Melayu. You can find many local restaurants with great Chinese
and Sasak foods.

Although officially 3 separate
towns, Ampenan, Mataram and
Cakranegara actually run together, so it's difficult
to tell where one stop and the next starts. There are banks,
travel agents, mall, interesting shops, traditional markets
and few things to see, but the town is not a major attraction.

Transportation, and bus info

Mandalika Bus Terminal is the main bus terminal for
the entire island. It's also the eastern terminus for the
local yellow bemos (public transport) that shuttle back and
forth to Kebun Ruwek Ampenan.
The official fares had just been increased at the time of
writing. Public fares (near or far in within
Ampenan-Mataram-Mandalika) is Rp. 1500/person, student fare is Rp.
1000.

Make sure you have fix money to pay, otherwise often there's
no return on changes. Lombok
Taxi Ph: (0370) 627000, or
Lendang Express Taxi
Ph: (0370) 644444 available 24 hours a day.

PLACES TO SEE

Museum NTB

Located on Jalan Panji
Tilaar Negara Mataram.

Mayura and Bale
Kambang,
Built on 1743 by Balinese Hindu's Dynasty; Anak Agung Gede
Karangasem. It's now become a recreational park when seasonally used
for Music Festivals.

Narmada Park,

Miniatur of Mount Rinjani
and Segara Anak Lake. This summer palace has a spot corner where
locals believed to have water fountain (air awet muda).

Suranadi,
located up in the
north east of Mataram, has a preserved forest for recreation and
chill out.

Karang Bayan
Village,
located north of Narmada Park, image of the old tribe of the Sasaks,
the major inhabitant who occupied 90% of Lombok's population